Friday, December 19, 2008

The Pregnant Straphanger - 2 in one day!

What a great start to the week. I declined the first offer because I didn't have much of a wait at the bus stop, I unknowingly boarded a Limited bus (bonus!) and there wasn't much traffic going down Dekalb Ave. I figured I had used up my bi-weekly quota but then on the B train, I got offered a seat by a different lady who kind of resembled the first! She also reminded me of Clapping Lady. Sometimes you can sense that someone is going to do it and this was one of those cases. She kept looking around and finally when the train starting moving and no one else had given up their spot, she gave me hers. I'll take it!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Pregnant Straphanger has a little more faith in humanity

5.December 9Q / DekalbAfrican-American lady in her mid twenties

This was one of those days where I felt defeated by the time I got to the subway platform. DMR and I are both under the weather (he with a cold, me with possibly a cold and some bizarre onset of late second trimester all day morning sickness). The bus stop was a clustferfuck though I did manage to get on a Limited (the 3rd of 4 buses that rolled down the street within seconds of each other). I got to stand in front of two large men taking up all three priority seats. I suppose I did get a bit of joy watching large man #2 continually push the stop sign and the bus driver ignoring the call since we were on a limited.

I weeble-wobbled down the steps to see both the B and R trains close their doors. I was planning to take the R but now wanting to wait, I got on the Q that came some minutes later. The train was super packed and I made my way in towards a pole. There were bodies all around me when a hand reached through the mass and tapped me. It was a woman offering me her seat. I have no idea how she saw me amid all the other commuters, but her gesture was a godsend.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

The Pregnant Straphanger

This woman might be my favorite seat giver-upper to date. I had my headphones on so she stood up from her seat and tapped me on the shoulder to offer me her place. I was only going two stops and the G wasn't crowded so I took a pass but the gesture is always appreciated. Sometimes I wonder if I am coming across as unappreciative by saying no. Anyway, she reminded me of this lady from Flight of the Concords who was also on an episode of Mad Men as one of the phone operators.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

The Pregnant Straphanger - the drought is broken, phew!

3.December 3B or D train, 34th StreetMiddle-aged white womanGood grief, it had been nearly a month since I was last offered a seat and my belly is so much bigger now! I got on the B or D train at Bryant Park to start my commute home. Didn't get a seat for the first stop, but at 34th Street I had to shift over due to all the additional passengers getting on and found myself standing in front of three middle aged ladies. Well, the one closest to me on the left may have been older, but the one in the bump seat was definitely middle-aged. Let's call her Ivanka. Ivanka had on mink coat and an icy stare. Oh, and tons of foundation. Blecch. The woman on the right reminded me of the tall, skinny lady from Troop Beverly Hills who is dispatched to spy on Shelly Long's troop. She had that librarian look and was appropriately enough, reading an educational catalog. Anyway, she offered me her seat but as I only had one stop to go, I declined.